When Alivia and Aijah Evans committed to Fayetteville State University, they weren't just joining a basketball team. They were stepping into a journey that blends athletic excellence, academic rigor, and a deep sense of family legacy. The twins from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, have quickly become two of the most compelling stories in Bronco athletics, not only for what they do on the court, but for the purpose that drives them off it.

Academic Excellence from the Start

At Quality Education Academy, the Evans sisters set the bar high. Alivia graduated as Valedictorian, while Aijah followed as Salutatorian in 2023. Their achievements reflected years of discipline, sacrifice, and mutual support. Both were standout athletes, helping lead their team to a conference championship, while excelling in the classroom with honor roll and Dean's List recognition.
 
That combination of brains and basketball made them natural fits for Fayetteville State, and for majors that demand both compassion and determination.

Alivia's Calling: Nursing Inspired by Family

For Alivia, nursing is personal.
 
"I want to be a nurse because of the care my family received when my grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer," she explains. "Watching nurses, including my aunt, who is a registered nurse, support, educate, and advocate for my grandmother showed me how important nurses are during difficult times. They were caring, professional, and always made sure my grandmother's needs were met. This experience inspired me to become a nurse so I can support patients and their families, advocate for them when they are vulnerable, and make a positive difference in people's lives and communities."
 
That sense of purpose mirrors the way she plays basketball. As a guard/small forward, Alivia has become the Broncos' Swiss Army knife, contributing to every area of the game. Whether it's rebounding, defending, facilitating, or scoring, she fills the gaps and steadies the team. Just as she hopes to advocate for patients one day, she already advocates for her teammates on the court.

Aijah's Journey: From Oncology to Public Health

Aijah's path began with a passion for oncology nursing, inspired by their grandmother's battle with cancer.
 
"I choose oncology nursing because I am deeply passionate about supporting patients and families as they face cancer," she says. "Oncology nurses do more than provide medical care; they offer compassion, education, and hope while guiding patients through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, and sometimes end-of-life care. I saw with my grandmother how a good nurse can make a difference, and I wanted to be that person for others."
 
But as her academic journey unfolded, Aijah redefined her focus, shifting to Public Health.
 
"I changed to public health as my major because I want to help improve the health of whole communities, not just one person at a time," she explains. "Public health focuses on prevention, education, and making sure people have access to the resources they need to stay healthy. I like that it looks at the bigger picture and works to prevent illness before it starts. Choosing this major allows me to make a difference, advocate for others, and help create healthier communities, which is something I am truly passionate about."
 

The ACL Battle: A Test of Faith and Patience

The 2024–25 season tested Aijah in ways she never expected. Early in the year, she suffered her second ACL injury, a setback that forced her to confront the long, grueling road of recovery once again.
 
"For me, my ACL injury has been a real journey with lots of ups and downs," she says. "Since this is my second time going through it, I already knew what it would take to get back, but that didn't make it any easier. There were days when progress felt slow and mentally draining, especially watching from the sidelines while my team and sister kept playing. Being cleared for non-contact stuff is frustrating because it feels like I'm learning how to walk again. Still, I'm trusting the process, staying patient, and believing in God's plan for my return to the court."
 
Her words reflect not just the physical toll of injury, but the emotional resilience it demands. Watching Alivia thrive while she heals has been bittersweet, motivating, but also a reminder of what she's missing. Yet her faith and determination remain unshaken.

The Twin Dynamic

Growing up in Winston-Salem, the Evans twins were inseparable. They trained together, pushed each other, and built a competitive fire that still burns today. Their high school years only strengthened that bond through championship runs, long practices, and late-night study sessions that ended with Alivia as valedictorian and Aijah as salutatorian.
 
At Fayetteville State, that connection didn't fade. If anything, it deepened.
 
"Having my twin sister as my basketball teammate is honestly really fun," Aijah says. "We already know how each other thinks, so playing together feels easy. We push each other to do better and keep each other motivated. Overall, it makes basketball more enjoyable playing with someone who's always got my back."
 
Alivia echoes the sentiment:
"My answer is similar to Aijah, but having my twin sister as a teammate on the basketball court is something I really enjoy. She pushes me to do better, and I trust her completely. I trust all my teammates, but the bond with my twin is just different. We know each other like the back of our hands, so it's easy to play together. It's like we already know what the other one is about to do before it even happens."
 
That bond has carried them through the highs of championships and the lows of injury. When Aijah went down with her ACL tear, Alivia didn't just step up on the court; she stepped up in every way, playing for both of them and keeping her sister connected to the team. And when Aijah returns, the Broncos will once again have the full force of their twin chemistry on the floor.
 

The Future of the Broncos and Beyond

The Evans twins came to Fayetteville State to grow as students, as athletes, and as young women preparing for careers rooted in service. Their academic paths are strengthened by the university's rising reputation in health sciences, especially within the School of Nursing and the Department of Public Health.
 
Fayetteville State's nursing program has earned statewide and national recognition for its rigor, accessibility, and commitment to preparing culturally competent healthcare professionals. The university's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program was ranked No. 1 in North Carolina for 2026, a distinction that reflects its strong NCLEX pass rates, clinical partnerships, and its mission to train nurses who can meet the needs of diverse and underserved communities. For students like Alivia, who chose nursing after witnessing the compassion and advocacy nurses provided during her grandmother's battle with terminal cancer. FSU offers the perfect blend of academic challenge and purpose-driven training.
 
The program emphasizes hands-on clinical experience, evidence-based practice, and community engagement. Students learn not only how to care for patients, but how to advocate for them, a value that aligns directly with Alivia's desire to support families during their most vulnerable moments. Her dream of becoming a nurse who brings comfort, clarity, and strength to others is nurtured in an environment built for exactly that kind of future.
 
Aijah's academic journey has taken a different but equally impactful direction. After initially pursuing oncology nursing, she shifted her focus to Public Health, drawn to the idea of improving the well-being of entire communities rather than just individuals. FSU's public health program equips students to understand how environment, education, policy, and access shape health outcomes. It's a field rooted in prevention, advocacy, and systems-level change; all values that resonate deeply with Aijah's desire to honor her grandmother's legacy of courage, compassion, and service.
 
Together, the twins represent two sides of the same mission: one working directly with patients, the other working to improve the systems that support them.
 
Their athletic paths mirror their academic ones, defined by resilience, teamwork, and a bond that makes each of them stronger. When Aijah returns to the court, the Broncos will regain a spark. When Alivia continues her steady rise, they'll keep their anchor. And when both step into their careers, they'll carry forward the values of family, purpose, and heart.
 
Two sisters. Two leaders. Two futures intertwined. And together, they're writing a story that's only just beginning.